Subject: Biology

The Fundamental Unit of Life

Grade: IX

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 Animal cell Plant cell

Mitochondria
Structure: small round or rod-shaped structures that have a folded inner
membrane within a porous outer membrane

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 Mitochondria
Function: Mitochondria release energy from the sugar (glucose) in food by
combining it with oxygen (cell respiration). It stores this energy in special
energy-rich molecules (called ATP) that the cell uses to do its work.
Mitochondria also produce some of its own protein due to the presence of
DNA and ribosomes.

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 Plant cell

Vacuoles
Structure:
Vacuoles are round, fluid-
filled storage sacs for solid
and liquid contents; plants
have a very large vacuole
whereas animals have a few
small ones

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 Vacuoles
Function: Plant vacuoles are completely filled with sap to provide
turgidity and rigidity to the cells
In unicellular organisms specialised vacuoles also play important
roles in expelling excess water and some wastes from the cell.

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